Paper Title
ADVANCING WORKPLACE SAFETY: DEVELOPING AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY STAFF MATURITY MODEL

Abstract
This study presents the development of an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Staff Maturity Model, designed to evaluate and enhance organizational safety practices. Grounded in a comprehensive literature review, the model identifies nine critical dimensions: knowledge and expertise, compliance and regulatory awareness, risk management, cultural integration, use of technology, training and development, stakeholder engagement, incident response and learning, and alignment with business goals. Each dimension is structured into five progressive maturity levels—Initial, Developing, Proficient, Advanced, and Innovative—capturing the evolution from basic compliance-driven practices to proactive, innovation-oriented approaches. The findings emphasize the importance of systematic risk management, cultural embedding of safety practices, and leveraging advanced technologies such as predictive analytics and IoT for real-time risk monitoring. Validation through case studies underscores the model’s applicability across industries, offering organizations a practical framework for self-assessment and continuous improvement. Policy recommendations include promoting advanced safety technologies, incentivizing organizational adoption of higher maturity practices, and fostering cross-industry collaboration. The model serves as both a diagnostic and developmental tool, aligning OHS initiatives with broader organizational objectives like sustainability and ESG strategies. This work contributes to the advancement of safety excellence, enhancing resilience and competitiveness in dynamic organizational environments. Keywords - Occupational Health and Safety, Maturity Model, Safety Culture, Risk Management, Organizational Development